On the first night of Chanukah, thousands gathered at the Kosel to light the first candle of the Menorah. This year’s theme was “Lighting the Light for the Hostages,” with the belief that just as in the past, the light will be victorious over the darkness.

On Wednesday evening, the first Chanukah candle lighting ceremony was held at the Kosel under the theme “Lighting the Light for the Hostages.”

The event was attended by the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Sephardic Chief Rabbi David Yosef; Rabbi of the Kosel and Holy Sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz; Minister of Religious Services, Rabbi Michael Malchieli; Director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Mr. Mordechai (Suli) Eliav; Director of the Chief Rabbinate, Rabbi Yehuda Cohen; Director of the Ministry of Religious Services, Rabbi Yehuda Avidan, along with a large audience, families of the hostages, and Rabbi David Druck, Chairman of the Kisufim organization, which supports and accompanies the families.

The Chief Rabbi of Israel, Sephardic Chief Rabbi David Yosef, offered words of encouragement to the families of the hostages and blessed the hostages, praying for their safe return to their families in good health, both physically and mentally.

After the lighting of the central menorah, the families of the hostages lit the “Hostage Candle,” praying for the swift return of their loved ones to their homes.

The candle-lighting ceremony will take place every evening of Chanukah at 4:30 PM at the Kosel and will be broadcast live on the Western Wall website. (Exceptions: Friday, 26 Kislev, at 3:30 PM, and Saturday night, 27 Kislev, at 8:00 PM.)